75 years ago today… December 27, 1939 In Finland, The Soviet 13th Army ended its attacks on the north end of the Mannerheim Line. In the Russo-Finland Winter War, Finns Using guerrilla-like tactics and their ability at cross-country skiing inflict a series of defeats on the Soviets over the next ten days. Although their supply lines are cut, the Soviets receive supplies by air. The Soviet 4th Division rushed several groups of men across the frozen Suvanto River in the darkness to reinforce the bridgehead on the far bank, but the attempts were detected by Finnish forces, which attacked them with artillery and machine guns, killing many; after dawn, Finnish forces successfully eliminated all Soviet bridgeheads on the Finnish side of the Suvanto River, ending the Battle of Kelja by 1800 hours. In Suomussalmi, Finnish 9th division, supported by the newly-arrived four 1902 76-millimeter cannon and two Bofors 37-millimeter anti-tank guns, began to assault the encircled Soviet 163rd Division (9th Army). Finnish government evacuates civilians from Viipuri (Vyborg). The bombing of Viipuri misses objectives, as the railway remains unscathed. The Allies lobby Sweden and Norway for permission to ship unofficial aid to Finland through Sweden. The delays and vacillation have cost them time which cannot be recouped. Brisk skirmishes take place on the western front. The new intensity of fighting is thought to portend heavier drives soon. Hitler sets foot on French soil, visiting an advanced German patrol. The Reich will transfer 80,000 Galician Jews. The group is to be exchanged for Germans in Soviet Poland. Adolf Hitler postponed the decision to invade France to a later date. The First Indian army troops join the British Expeditionary Force in France. German destroyers and patrol boats attacked off German coast by RAF Coastal Command. The British cargo ship Stanholme struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off the coast of Norway with the loss of 14 of her 25 crew. The survivors were rescued by a Norwegian ship. Convoy OA 61 departs Southend. Convoy SL 14F departs Freetown for Liverpool. Convoy HXF 14 departs Halifax for Liverpool. U.S. Consul General in Hamburg Keblinger reports that German prize control authorities have released all but seven neutral vessels detained in German ports for the evaluation of cargo deemed contraband. U.S. freighter Oakwood, en route from Gibraltar to Genoa, is intercepted by French naval vessel and diverted to Villefranche after boarding officer mistakes notation in log as an order to proceed to Marseilles. Once the mistake is realized, the ship is released to proceed on her way within a few hours. A popularity gain is shown for President Roosevelt; 63 percent favor him now as compared to 62 percent at the 1936 election. The Roosevelt administration protested the British governments censorship of neutral mail while searching for contraband. The Wilson administration, in World War I, protested the same British practice. Social agencies tell of ravages in Cleveland, saying hunger causes and aggravates disease. Ninety thousand bids were filed for 2,000 city jobs in New York. More U.S. patents were granted in 1939 than any other year since 1934. One thousand police officers have been assigned to Times Square for New Year’s celebrations. Japanese 21st Army crosses Lien River with minimal resistance from Chinese 4th War Area. Japanese column counterattacks Chinese 5th War Area around Chunghsiang. Corvette HMS Jonquil laid down. Submarine USS Gar laid down. Minesweeping trawler HMT Hazel launched. U-108 laid down.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 15:32:18 +0000
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